Yet, another
successful week for anglers on the Moy system, with 696 salmon
reported. However, varying water levels throughout the week resulted
in rather unpredictable fishing conditions. The bulk of the fish was
caught midweek, with all mid river fisheries reporting Wednesday as
the best day.

The Ridge Pool
accounted for 33 salmon, including two on spinner for Walter Norton,
UK, and three salmon for Michael Mills also on spinner. On the Weir
Pool, John Phelan, Laoise, had 3 grilse (2 released) on worm. John also
caught a fine 3.93 lbs. sea trout! Also on the Weir Pool, Garry Perks,
UK had a 6.98 lbs. salmon on worm. Fly angler, John Thompson, Laoise,
had 2 grilse on the Cathedral Beat, while Sean Kearney, Northern Ireland,
caught a fine 11.5 lbs. salmon on spinner. Walter Norton had another
two salmon on the Cathedral Beat and Patsy Smyth, Cavan, scored on the
Spring Wells with a 5 pounder on fly.

The NWRFB held
a juvenile angling day on the Cathedral Beat on Tuesday, 14 July. The
turnout was excellent, with over 40 juveniles taking part. Reece Hudson
won the event with a 3.5 lbs. grilse, Shane Egan was runner up and joint
third place went to Sean Ledden & Colm McGarry.

John Phelan with his 3.93 lbs. sea trout from the Moy Fishery’s Weir Pool.

Peter Hughes,
UK and his 13 year old son Jack, both caught their first ever salmon
on the Mount Falcon Fishery which enjoyed another successful week, with
46 salmon caught, 15 of which were released. On Coolcronan, Roy Quinn,
Northern Ireland, had 2 grilse on worm, while Michael Campbell, also
Northern Ireland, had a 6 pounder on prawn. Armstrong’s produced a
fine 11 lbs. salmon for Tom Murray, Offaly, and Andy Major, UK, banked
a 10 pounder on the Gannon Fishery. Both fish came to the worm. The
Howard Bayliss party of three did very well on the Foxford Fishery,
with 24 salmon over 4 days, while Tony Furlong, Wexford, landed a cracking
14 lbs. salmon on the Foxford Anglers’ Rinanney stretch.

Up river, Cloongee
also enjoyed good fishing during the week, with Conor & David Hutchinson,
Northern Ireland, catching a grilse each. Also on Cloongee, Rene Gehringer,
Germany, did very well, with 4 salmon on worm over 2 days, best at 10.5
lbs. Other successful anglers included Lars Friebertshauser, Germany,
(4 lbs. salmon) Gabriel McCafferty, Northern Ireland, (9 lbs. salmon)
and Bill O’Regan, Dublin (4 lbs. salmon). All three fish came to the
worm.

Fishing East
Mayo, Roger Stevens, Northern Ireland, had 3 fish averaging 4 lbs. Alan
Andrews and David Hutchinson, both Northern Ireland, also fishing the
East Mayo Association water had one fish each and Norwegian visitor,
Tony Peterson, caught two salmon at 4 lbs. & 9 lbs. on fly.

Moy Estuary

Despite the
unsettled weather conditions and coloured water, some anglers enjoyed
good sea trout fishing during the week. Judd Ruane reported 8 sea trout
up to 2 lbs. for Edward Thomas & friends, UK, while the John Hurley
party of three landed 9 trout. Most sea trout were taken on mackerel
strip.

Carrowmore Lake & Owenmore
River

On Carrowmore
Lake, the Martin Rouland party had one salmon at 6 lbs. and 8 sea trout,
all of which were returned. The Owenmore River produced good bags of
sea trout and some salmon during the week. The best fishing was during
the early part of the week due to a rise in water levels. Amongst the
successful anglers were Martin Gaughan, Alan Pease, Eamon & Padraic
Giblin, Dennis Summers, Franz Kaiser and Tom Gallagher. Junior angler,
Kieran Doherty, Bangor Erris, was also successful on the Owenmore River
where he caught his fist ever salmon weighing 5 lbs!

Newport River & Lough
Beltra

A rise in water
levels resulted in good salmon fishing on the Newport River. Local angler,
Eamon Kennedy, had a 6 lbs. grilse, while Jimmy Lawlor caught a 5 pounder
and 3 sea trout, all of which he returned. David McClune landed 2 grilse
and Dave tucker had a nice sea trout at 1.5 lbs. However, John Corry,
Northern Ireland, had the best bag of the week, with 3 salmon weighing
between 4 lbs. & 12 lbs. On Lough Beltra West, Ian Holman had 3
sea trout between 0.75 lbs. & 1.5 lbs. (all returned), while on
Lough Beltra East, Jackie Diffley, Glenisland, boated a small grilse.
Also on Lough Beltra East, Brian McGowan, Castlebar, landed a fine 11.5
lbs. salmon on a Green Peter. He and his boat partner, Eamon Kennedy,
also returned a sea trout and rose several more.

Ballin Lough

Six year old Jamie Donovan with his first salmon caught on the Ballysadare Fishery.

Again, a good
week for Ballin Lough with 26 rainbow trout (12 released) for 19 rods.
Mr. F. McMorrow and friend caught 6 trout (5 released), best at 3.5
lbs., P.J. O’Donnell & friend had 8 rainbows, best at 4 lbs. and
Sean Flannelly landed 4 fish, with best also at 4 lbs. Best flies for
the week were Muddlers & gold head nymphs.

Ballysadare
River

The Ballysadare
Fishery is still enjoying a good run of salmon at present with a total
of 132 salmon caught, 42 of which were released. A very successful day
for juvenile anglers was also held on the Ballysadare Fishery. This
was facilitated by Ballysadare Fishing Club Ltd. and assisted by NWRFB
staff. A total of 74 children participated in this event. Results
were spectacular, reflecting the large run of fish to this prolific
fishery. Amongst the successful youngsters was 6 year old Jamie Donovan
who caught his first ever salmon. The event was won by Karl Murray who
had a 7 lbs. salmon on a Cascade pattern.

Lough Arrow

The “Peter
Fishing” on Lough Arrow has been pretty good during the week with
fair numbers of fish moving. The northern end of the Lough fished best
and anglers are still enjoying the best action between 10:00 pm and
midnight. Noel Fairbanks had 5 trout, best at 4.75 lbs., David Gray
accounted for 7 fish, best at 3.5 lbs., his father Josie Gray caught
two, best at 4 lbs., Dave Cadman had two, heaviest at 4.74 lbs., while
Francis White landed the heaviest fish for the week, a cracking 6.16
lbs. trout.